Taking a day trip to the teeny island of Koh Nang Yuan is one of my top recommendations to those heading to Koh Tao — other than go diving, of course! Koh Nang Yuan is actually made up of three little teardrops of land connected by a massive sandbar. It’s a place where post-card dreams are made: unique topography, blindingly white sand beaches, and shores teeming with fish and coral.

Due to its tiny footprint, Koh Nang Yuan is the perfect size for a day trip. Technically you can stay at the Nang Yuan Resort (the only one on the island!) but it’s fairly pricey and seems to cater mainly to Asian tourists. However, you would get to wake up to totally abandoned beaches before the day-trippers arrived. Somehow, despite having lived in Koh Tao for so many months and the short journey to get to Nang Yuan, I’ve only been three times!

I first visited in 2009, then again with my parents on Christmas Eve 2011, when the weather did not cooperate. My most recent trip with Olivia and Zoe was so blissful it convinced me it was time for another post dedicated to this special place. Thus, the Complete Guide to Koh Nang Yuan was born.

Getting There

Koh Nang Yuan is but a 10-15 minute journey from the west side of Koh Tao. There are advertised speed boat times and mega-catamaran Lomprayah offers a package day trip, but the cheapest and easiest option is to charter a longtail. At anytime of day you can head to the beach and find a boat driver looking for customers. If it’s a particularly busy day head to Lotus Bar which functions as a bit of a boat-taxi stand during the day. The cost is 200B roundtrip. You must settle on a return time with your driver. At first I was suspicious of paying up front and felt I would be left on the island but they always come back! Alternatively, if you have a Thai phone you can ask them to swap numbers so you can call when you would like to go back to Koh Tao.

If you are staying in a remote area on the East or South side you may need to inquire with your resort about transport options.

Koh Nang Yuan starts to get busy around 9:30am and virtually clears by 4:30pm. So if you would like some time on the island with a bit of solitude, be sure to arrive early or stay late.

Entrance

Koh Nang Yuan is privately owned and visitors are charged a 100B entrance fee in order to step foot on the island. I managed to escape the fee once when I inadvertently shared a longtail with a dive instructor working on the island, but that aside, there’s no sneaking around this fee! Nang Yuan also requests that you bring no plastic onto the island. Everything on Nang Yuan is served in reusable glass bottles.

Eating and Drinking

With its one resort, Nang Yuan also has just one restaurant and one beach bar. It is a resort restaurant, so food is more expensive than you would get on Koh Tao at an independent establishment. Menu offerings are somewhat limited — this is no major culinary destination. Still, it works for a quick ice cream binge lunch break. The beach bar is, unsurprisingly, located on the beach and is on the expensive end of Koh Tao prices.

What to Do

The Beach

Without a doubt- this is the main attraction. Moments after arrival on my most recent trip my sis Olivia declared that it was already her favorite day of the trip — and we hadn’t even started on the banana daiquiris yet.

Depending on the day, the season, the tides and your luck, the beach can be a tiny ribbon on sand slammed with sunbathing bodies, or a wide, deserted stretch of paradise. Amazingly, it remains beautiful either way.

Snorkeling

There’s really no need for exaggeration — Koh Nang Yuan simply is one of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand. The shallow reefs surrounding the island are lined with intricate soft and hard corals as well as schools of colorful parrotfish and shy angelfish. Shelter from the islands means the water is calm and clear.

You will often see dive boats surrounding Nang Yuan to visit the popular dive sites of Twin Peak and Japanese Gardens, which lie just off the island and are shallow enough for snorkelers. Gear can be rented in the Koh Nang Yuan Resort’s Dive Shop, or of course you are free to bring your own.

Just please be careful not to stand on or touch the coral. I see this everywhere I’ve been in Thailand but visitors to Nang Yaun seem to be some of the worst offenders.

Viewpoint

Another very popular activity at Koh Nang Yuan is taking the 10-15 minute hike up to the viewpoint of the three islands’ highest peak.

Despite its short distance, the path can get steep and in the heat of day might seem pretty tricky! But the view from the top, a vista that graces postcards across the country, is one of the most beautiful I have ever laid eyes on.

By hiking the viewpoint at the end of the day right before heading back to the boat you are more likely to have a lovely abandoned beach in your photos. Not to mention, it will be cooler, and photos of yourself will be less embarrassingly sweaty.

Ziplining

Last but clearly not least is Koh Nang Yuan’s newest attraction: ziplining! Earlier this year I wrote a detailed, photo and video packed post about ziplining in Koh Tao. The course consists of two lines that go between the islands…. the world’s first inter-island zipline!

Update: The zipline on Koh Nang Yuan is no longer in operation.

The whole course takes about an hour and costs 1,000 baht, making it totally do-able during a Koh Nang Yuan day trip. There’s really nothing like it!

If you’re coming to Koh Tao, I know it’s hard to resist the urge to spend every day diving. But schedule in an extra day and explore the topside wonder of Koh Nang Yuan.

Great post. The little island and the ziplining sounds awesome (and I just read your other post -ziplining on koh tao). Not sure if I mentioned this in my other comments but my boyfriend and I are planning a 2 yr backpacking trip through Asia and Europe to start in the fall during which we’ll continue to run my food blog and a travel website we are working on now ( if you’re interested). Right now I’m in process of planning the Thailand portion of our trip – we’re hoping to allocate a month to the whole country. It’s been great reading this island guide and though we’re not sure if we’ll get diving lessons (since they are still a bit pricy) I am definitely looking forward to some awesome snorkeling!Vicky recently posted..

Hey Vicky, glad my posts can help a bit with your planning! Thailand absolutely deserves a month, and if Koh Tao makes it into the itinerary you’ll find some great snorkeling. I’m heading up North this month so stay tuned for some different coverage!

Great post! That zip lining looks like SO much fun! Glad you’re living the dream and traveling to incredible destinations like this! There is nothing like the gift of travel that’s for sure!Vanessa recently posted..

Hi Heather! There is at least one day trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan via the meg-catamaran/ferry operator Lomprayah. However, be warned that you will spend over four hours in transit between the islands! I would definitely recommend an Ang Thong Marine Park day trip to you, though. Check my archives for posts about my two trips there!

Thank you for the great post – this information is really helpful! my husband and I will be in Koh Tao shortly and we were wondering about how to get to this island I’ve seen in so many pictures! Really looking forward to going there – your pictures are great!

We are heading to Koh Tao later this year and have just discovered your blog through googeling Koh Nang Yuan. You have sold it to me and your post is really useful! Am definitely going to be nosing around your blog a bit! x

Hi Meihoukai, thank you for this great post! Loved it 🙂 We are going to Koh Tao in 2 weeks, and I’m still doubting to bring my own snorkeling gear… it’s just a two weeks vacation and with the luggage weight limits, I’m just not sure 🙁 Did you rent them there? Or was it your own? Is it expensive to rent out? Can you only rent the flippers for instance? That would be an option, to only take the glasses and snorkel 🙂 Ellen

I always bring my own, because nothing makes me more mad than an ill-fitting mask! Actually in some snorkel spots on Koh Tao, you cannot wear fins in order to protect the coral. So bringing your mask and snorkel might be a great compromise!

it looks amazing!! i’ll be going there in a few months and i was wondering what time the photo of you at the viewpoint was taken? and also what time do people normally leave there? x id really like to catch the sunset there!!sofina recently posted..

Hey Sofina! Unfortunately I can’t remember what time of day I took the photos in this post — they are from different trips 🙂 As most people arrange their own boat transfers with local longtail boats, I’m sure you can negotiate one to pick you up around sunset! Best of luck!

Hi Meihoukai! I’m planning to visit Koh Tao next year in March and your blog has been a great help so far! Just a few quick question, though.

How early does the longtails leave for Koh Nang Yuan? Would you recommend going early or returning late? Is there any longtail service at Chalok Baan Kao? Are the non-disposable Bros plastic bottles allowed on the island? What if I brought a metal bottle?

Hey JL, you could pretty much leave anytime… there’s always likely to be a longtail hanging around. You can definitely take longtails from Chalok though the cost will likely be higher. And yes, metal bottles are allowed. Enjoy!

Hello Meihoukai, your blog post and all your good advice are quit impressive. If my trip to Thaïland this March is confirmed, I will definitely go here for a day trip and stay till the sunset. I wonder though if the prices you mentioned het higher along the years. I hope it’s not too much expensive.
Keep up your great stories.
Best regards from Montreal.
Rim from Red Lips Talk blog.

I’m also a travel blogger, currently living in Koh Samui for the month and island hopping to Koh Tao this weekend! I planned my entire Sunday using this guide 🙂 Thanks so much for all the tips! Looks amazing.Carly recently posted..

Great post! I was there today and enjoyed a day of relaxing and snorkeling. Unfortunately the viewpoint is currently under renovation, so I was a bit disappointed, as your picture of it looks amazing. I’ve been on Koh Tao for the past week and a half and have fallen in love with the island as well as the diving! I definitely want to return someday…who knows, maybe a DMT is in my future? Your blog has been a wonderful resource for my Thailand travels as well as a great inspiration, keep it up!Chris recently posted..

Hey Chris, thanks for the heads up on the viewpoint renovation — I’ll try to keep tabs on how long that takes. So glad you’ve enjoyed Koh Tao and great that you may return for your DMT! Happy travels, and diving!

Hey Meihoukai,
My friend and I are on a student tour through Thailand in May but Koh Tao isn’t included in our itinerary. We were thinking we could take a day trip out there while we are in Koh Phangan (since we’re there for a week) Is it possible to do a day trip from Koh Phangan to Koh Nangyuan?! Or are they too far away!

Hey Breanne, it is possible for sure. However you’ll only have about five hours on Koh Tao, and then you’ll have to use some of that getting from Koh Tao to Koh Nangyuan. If I were you I’d probably do a day trip to some of the hidden, boat-only accessible beaches on Koh Phangan instead 🙂

hi alex….. i’ ve read your article about koh nanyuan … i’m going there soon. which tour pakage did u took and where’s the office in samui? and all the activities include in 1000bht including the zip lining? any suggestion and advice?

Hi Meihoukai – My husband I are staying in Koh Samui and wanted to plan a day trip to Koh Tao and hike up Koh Nang Yuan for a photo (of corse). I looked into transportation through Lumprayah and they have a boat that leave Koh Samui at 8:00 arriving on Koh Tao at 9:30. The return boat back to Koh Samui leaves at 15:00 from Koh Tao. Do you think 9:30-14:00 is enough time to get to and hike up Koh Nang Yuan? Thank you

I'm a New York native who left my home to explore the world slowly and thoroughly. I’m just a little obsessed with photography, scuba diving, and reading guidebooks to countries I have no immediate plans to visit.